Monday, December 14, 2015

December 14: Saint John of the Cross

Saint John of the Cross
Photo by Zarateman

History

John was homeless as a child. After he became a Carmelite, Saint Teresa of Avila asked him to help her correct some of the problems within the order. Teresa and John wanted the brothers and sisters to focus on prayer, but some of the Carmelites didn’t like being told to change. John was kidnapped by the men in his order, locked in a small, dark cell and beaten three times a week. He had nothing left but God, but God brought him joy, and John learned that there is no love greater than the Lord’s.

Activity

In his dark, cold prison, John found joy and love. Today, make your own scratch-art cross and find beauty in darkness. You start by using beautiful colors to cover a piece of cardboard. Then paint the whole thing black. After the black paint dries, use a toothpick to scratch away the black paint in the shape of a cross. Then add patterns and shapes to make your cross even more beautiful. Here are detailed instructions for making scratch art. 

Saint John of the Cross, pray for us!


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